Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the number of tourists visiting a particular Caribbean island between 2010 and 2017.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The line graph depicts the how many numbers of visitors to visit particular Caribbean island from 2010 to 2017.

Overall, Total number of tourist sharply rose from 2010 to 2017 compared to the others. Visitors who stayed on cruise ship were flatulated in all years.

In 2010, visitors staying on island constituted more than 0.5 million, while it remained unchanged in 2011. A significant incline was noticed in 2013, which was 1.5 million. There was a remained steady till 2015 to 1.5 million. Whereas a minimal drop was observed in tourist in 2016 to around 1.2 million and it considerably grew in 2017 with 1.5 million.

Meanwhile, visitors who stayed on cruise ship represented less than 0 million in 2010. However, a sharp increase was noted in visitors from 0.5 million in 2013 to 1 million in 2014. There was a continuously rise till 2017 to 2 million. Total number of visitors was 1 million in 2010. It dramatically surge from 2011 to 2017 with 3.5 million. Which was the highest number of visitors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the graph, including the trends for both visitor types and the total. However, there are significant inaccuracies in the data reporting. For instance, stating that cruise ship visitors were 'less than 0 million' is logically impossible, and the description of the total visitor trend is confusingly phrased. While the overview attempts to highlight the main trends, the lack of precision in data interpretation prevents a higher score. The response would benefit from a more careful check of the figures provided in the graph to ensure the summary is factually accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused. Phrases like 'Meanwhile' and 'Whereas' are used, but the logical flow between sentences is sometimes disjointed. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly when discussing the total number of visitors versus the specific categories. Improving the transition between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are several instances of awkward word choices and incorrect collocations. For example, 'flatulated' is an incorrect term in this context, and 'incline' is used where 'increase' or 'rise' would be more appropriate. There are also issues with phrasing, such as 'how many numbers of visitors to visit'. To improve, focus on using precise terminology for describing trends, such as 'fluctuated', 'upward trend', or 'significant growth', and avoid inventing or misusing complex-sounding words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('Total number of tourist sharply rose'), incorrect article usage, and awkward sentence construction ('There was a remained steady'). The misuse of verb tenses and word forms (e.g., 'dramatically surge') indicates a need for more careful proofreading. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors limits the score in this criterion.

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